At the heart of communication and critical cultural studies is a discipline that has been slowly expanding its borders around the issues of racism, sexism, ability, privilege, and oppression. As Latinx, African American, Asian Pacific American, Disability and LGBTQ studies widen and shift the scope of Communication Studies, what often gets underplayed is the role of transnational Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) studies. It is imperative that the experiences of transnational individuals who live and move between the region and the U.S. are centered. For this reason, our goal is to begin to bring Middle Eastern communication and critical cultural studies in conversation with global and transnational studies. We ask, how can scholars make a space for transnational MENA studies within communication and cultural studies? What are the pressing issues? Thus, at a time where Arab, Arab Americans, Iranians, and Iranian Americans, and other MENA ethnic communities are under attack by Western media and governments, it is crucial to center their voice from a transnational perspective that privileges their positionalities and experiences rather than continue to study them from a reductive Eurocentric lens. Accordingly, this book aims to bring together a diverse collection of essays to showcase the complexity and cultural nuances that compose the Middle East and North Africa and its diasporas in the United States. Important work has been published interdisciplinary by prominent scholars such as Lila Abu-Lughod, Janet Afary; Leila Ahmed; Nadje Al-Ali; Amar; Talal Asad; miriam cooke; Deniz Kandiyoti; Saba Mahmood; Joseph Massad; Fatema Mernissi; Afsaneh Najmabadi; Edward Said; Jack Shaheen; Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, Sima Shakhsari; Loubna Skalli. We seek to build on existing scholarship by including essays that theorize from a communication and critical cultural studies lenses. Our approach to communication and critical cultural studies is informed by critical performative, rhetorical, feminist, queer, intercultural, social justice and media studies. Furthermore, scholars are encouraged to focus on specific countries or diasporas or general representations of the MENA region. This book aims to bring together work by established and new or emerging scholars.

List of suggested topics for submission can include (but are not limited to):

Creative or performative approaches or perspectives to MENA identities

Vernacular discourse

Critical Rhetoric of Muslims in Western Discourse

Postcolonial approaches to MENA identities

Intersectionality

Queer/ed approaches to MENA identities

. Social movements and social justice

. Social media and youth

. MENA feminisms

. Critical intercultural approaches to MENA

. Monstrosity and horror

Submission Requirements and Due Dates

In order to have a creative work and/or research manuscript considered for publication, please submit the following: